Small Group Training by Jon Gaus

1. SMALL GROUP TRAINING by Jon Gaus

2. 1st: PRAYER!
• One of Satan’s schemes
is to keep Christians
isolated and away from
life-giving, Kingdom
fellowship! 2 Cor. 2:11
• We must ask the Holy
Spirit to raise up leaders
and give us the wisdom
on how to form our
Small Groups.

3. A Small Group is a place where:

4. A Small Group is a place where:
• Biblical Information can become Biblical
Application. James 1:22

5. A Small Group is a place where:
• Biblical Information can become Biblical
Application. James 1:22
• Believer’s can live-out the “one another’s”
of Scripture. John 13:34

6. SIX Reasons Why We Are Committed to Small
Groups:

7. SIX Reasons Why We Are Committed to Small
Groups:
1. Because the are biblical. (Acts 2; 5:42)

8. SIX Reasons Why We Are Committed to Small
Groups:
1. Because the are biblical. (Acts 2; 5:42)
2. Because they are the best way to shepherd
the whole flock. (Ephesians 4:11,12)

9. SIX Reasons Why We Are Committed to Small
Groups:
1. Because the are biblical. (Acts 2; 5:42)
2. Because they are the best way to shepherd
the whole flock. (Ephesians 4:11,12)
3. Because they multiple competent leaders.
(2 Timothy 2:2)

10. SIX Reasons Why We Are Committed to Small
Groups:
4. Because they encourage the use of Spiritual
Gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:14-27)

11. SIX Reasons Why We Are Committed to Small
Groups:
4. Because they encourage the use of Spiritual
Gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:14-27)
5. Because they foster Biblical love. (John 13:35)

12. SIX Reasons Why We Are Committed to Small
Groups:
4. Because they encourage the use of Spiritual
Gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:14-27)
5. Because they foster Biblical love. (John 13:35)
6. Because they promote unity and fellowship.
(1 John 3:6,7)

13. 4 Parts of an Effective Small Group Gathering:
1. Opening Time
-”Get to Know You” Questions
-Praise Reports
-Worship!

14. 4 Parts of an Effective Small Group Gathering:
2. Application/Discussion of Biblical truth:
-Pulpit Curriculum
-Book of the Bible Study
-Topical Kingdom Subject Study

15. 4 Parts of an Effective Small Group Gathering:
3. Ministering Christ to One Another:
-Accountability (spur one another on)
(men with men, women with women)
-Pray for one another (specific prayers to
apply scripture to our lives, for our fight
against sin and for our many needs).

16. 4 Parts of an Effective Small Group Gathering:
• Spirit-led fellowship!

17. 3 KINDS OF
SMALL GROUPS
Home Groups Men’s Groups Women’s Groups
8-12 People 6-8 People 6-8 People

18. Very Important Distinctions:

19. Very Important Distinctions:
• “For effective Small Groups we are looking
for leaders/facilitators NOT teachers.

20. Very Important Distinctions:
• “For effective Small Groups we are looking
for leaders/facilitators NOT teachers.
• Small Groups are about life-giving discussions
NOT lectures.

21. Six Elements of a LIFE-GIVING Discussion Time:

22. Six Elements of a LIFE-GIVING Discussion Time:
1. Pre-select questions to help guide the
discussion in a purposeful direction.

23. Six Elements of a LIFE-GIVING Discussion Time:
1. Pre-select questions to help guide the
discussion in a purposeful direction.
2. Start with an engaging question to introduce
the study to generate interest in the topic.

24. Six Elements of a LIFE-GIVING Discussion Time:
1. Pre-select questions to help guide the
discussion in a purposeful direction.
2. Start with an engaging question to introduce
the study to generate interest in the topic.
3. Balance the types of questions you ask.
(open-ended questions, application questions, understanding questions)

25. Six Elements of a LIFE-GIVING Discussion Time:
4. Direct questions toward specific individuals to
draw people into the discussion.

26. Six Elements of a LIFE-GIVING Discussion Time:
4. Direct questions toward specific individuals to
draw people into the discussion.
5. Life-Giving discussions include everyone in the
group, not just the leader and a few.

27. Six Elements of a LIFE-GIVING Discussion Time:
4. Direct questions toward specific individuals to
draw people into the discussion.
5. Life-Giving discussions include everyone in the
group, not just the leader and a few.
6. Seek to incorporate application throughout your
discussion, don’t just wait until the end.

28. What Does Genuine Care Look Like?

29. What Does Genuine Care Look Like?
1. Share specific weekly testimonies of God’s
goodness, answers to specific prayers,
signs of grace and have someone share their
personal testimony of coming to saving faith!

30. What Does Genuine Care Look Like?
1. Share specific weekly testimonies of God’s
goodness, answers to specific prayers,
signs of grace and have someone share their
personal testimony of coming to saving faith!
2. The Small Group should be a safe place to
share real-life struggles and joys.

31. What Does Genuine Care Look Like?
3. Help meet the needs of one another during the
week. (hospital visits, prepare meals, childcare, home
repair, contributing money to those in need, groceries, etc)

32. What Does Genuine Care Look Like?
3. Help meet the needs of one another during the
week. (hospital visits, prepare meals, childcare, home
repair, contributing money to those in need, groceries, etc)
4. Prayer specifically for one another during the
week and ask for updates at the meeting.

33. What Does Genuine Care Look Like?
5. Abide in Christ during the week so that the Holy
Spirit can give you “words of wisdom” and
“words of knowledge” for one another and
share them humbly and in love.

34. What Does Genuine Care Look Like?
5. Abide in Christ during the week so that the Holy
Spirit can give you “words of wisdom” and
“words of knowledge” for one another and
share them humbly and in love.
6. Be willingly to speak the truth, always wrapped
in love! And, be willing to graciously accept the
counsel and exhortation of believers.

35. What Does Genuine Care Look Like?
7. Listen to one another to understand not just to
respond.

36. What Does Genuine Care Look Like?
7. Listen to one another to understand not just to
respond.
8. Commit to confidentiality within the group so
that it becomes a safe place to be
transparent. (there are exceptions to this, if someone is being harmed or living in
dangerous situation, please contact a pastor immediately).

37. 3 Levels of Growing, Healthy Communication
SURFACE COMMUNICATION
Talk about the weather, sports,
shopping television shows
PERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Share facts about yourself.
TRANSPARENT
COMMUNICATION
Share authentic feelings about
your fears and failures and faith.
To get to this point there must
be mutual trust, mutual love
and mutual confidentiality.

38. ”Tonight, let’s enjoy the presence of JESUS in
us and among us!”